Kathy Andresen: Excellence in Teaching Award

Introductory remarks by ACCEL Director Ruth Soedt:

The ACCEL Program has had the good fortune of having Dr. Andresen teach adult students in the nursing program for almost five years. She teaches courses such as nursing management, community health and professional trends and issues.

In addition to being an Assistant Professor and faculty advisor in the Nursing Department, Kathy is the program coordinator for the RN-BSN program, sits on the ACCEL Faculty Advisory Council, HR Committee, Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellows committee, and the BSN curriculum committee where she is currently working with her colleagues on the new nursing curriculum rolling out this fall.

In addition to her professional experience in higher education, Kathy has previously worked for the Community Health Care, the WIC Program, and Genesis Medical Center; she continues to work part-time for the Scott County Health Department.

Kathy received her nursing diploma and associate's degree from Scott Community College; her Bachelor of Science in Health Arts from the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Ill; her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Iowa College of Nursing with concentrations in school health and nursing education; and her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Rush University College of Nursing, Chicago, with concentrations in organizational leadership and nursing education.

She is currently enrolled in an online teaching and learning certificate program at Governors State University, University Park, Ill. Clearly Kathy embodies the true meaning of life-long learning and that is why she relates so well to her adult students.

Here are a just few comments that students submitted with their nomination:

"Kathy truly understands the needs of the adult student! Her caring and compassion come through in her teaching, yet she is always challenging us to grow and learn. Kathy is outstanding!"
"Kathy has a positive and encouraging attitude toward all students. She is willing to work with you until you understand the concept. She goes above and beyond for the students and does so with a smile. She always has a welcoming smile making her very approachable. FANTASTIC INSTRUCTOR."
"Great instructor. Approachable. Knowledgeable. Loves what she's doing. Very kind."
"I am very happy to nominate Kathy Andresen for the Excellence in Teaching Award. She is an outstanding teacher. She is always willing to go the extra mile to help her students. Kathy is very understanding of her students concerns and works with them as a teacher and as an advisor when needed."

All of this confirms that the students made an excellent choice, and it is with great pleasure that we recognize Dr. Kathy Andresen as this year's recipient of the ACCEL Program's 2013/2014 Excellence in Teaching Award.